On 5 June 2026, our Dean, Prof. Yilei Shao, joined Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala, Rector of the United Nations University (UNU), for a high-level conversation at UNU Headquarters in Tokyo, themed "Reimagining the Wealth of Nations: From Invisible Hand to Digital Hand." The audience included UNU staff, university students, and professionals from related industries.
Prof. Yilei Shao, Dean of SAIFS, with Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala, Rector of the United Nations University
The conversation centered on the theoretical framework of Silicon-Based Economics, global intelligence governance mechanisms, and the development of young people, offering an in-depth portrait of the new economic landscape and emerging challenges of the AI era. The dialogue opened with the core concepts proposed by Prof. Yilei Shao—Silicon-Based Economics and the Intelligent Domestic Product (IDP)—examining the challenges in measuring IDP and exploring how the Silicon Index can gauge a nation's intelligence capacity and inform policymakers.
Prof. Yilei Shao, Dean of SAIFS, in conversation with Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala, Rector of the United Nations University
The discussion then contrasted the essential differences between the "invisible hand" of classical economics and the "digital hand" of the new era, and further explored the strategic positioning of intelligence-producing and intelligence-consuming nations. The two speakers also exchanged views on the operating logic and value of a proposed AI-OPEC and the UN's role as its platform, interpreted the practical meaning of nations' extraction rights over intelligence, and examined how the depth of human-AI collaboration might be quantified.
Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala, Rector of the United Nations University and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations
In addition, drawing on the experience of late industrializers in the carbon economy, they assessed the prospects of Global South countries in the silicon economy, before closing with advice for young people on their careers and choices in an uncertain future. Grounded in cutting-edge theory and real-world challenges, the conversation offered profound insights and valuable reference for the global response to the silicon-economy transformation and the improvement of AI governance.
Prof. Yilei Shao, Dean of the Shanghai AI-Finance School, East China Normal University
Following the on-stage conversation, audience members engaged actively with Prof. Yilei Shao and Rector Tshilidzi Marwala, raising further questions on AI's impact on today's job market, its differing effects across industries, and the evolution of future economic structures. The event concluded in a lively atmosphere with an enthusiastic response.
Resource：Shanghai AI-Finance School，ECNU
